BREAKING NEWS: Bars banned from showing Pavlik fight

YOUNGSTOWN — Before a single punch could be thrown in Kelly Pavlik’s title fight, area bars have been dealt a blow.

Top Rank Boxing Chairman Bob Arum said since the event has not sold out, it will not be shown at any local bar.

“We cut it off,” Arum said. “You can’t sell it in the bar if it [the fight] is not sold out.”

Some reports pegged ticket sales at between 1,500-1,800 for the event at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center — with a capacity for 7,300 fans.

Arum dismissed those reports.

“It’s very inaccurate,” Arum said of the figure. “We’ve sold about 3,000 tickets ... We’ll have a nice crowd. It won’t be a sellout. But we’ll have a very, very nice crowd on Saturday.”

The fight will still be available via home pay-per-view. Or, remaining tickets, priced at $208, $158, $108 and $58, including $8 processing fee, can be purchased online at www.Tickets.com or at the Youngstown State University Athletic Ticket Office. For ticket information call (330) 941-1978.

There will be bootleg showings going on everywhere! The bars have promoted this all week, and after the Cowboys-Saints game everyone will be looking for the fight. I see many angry scenes happening in the bars that do not bootleg it.

They should have booked this fight in a high school gym (a very small one at that). Then they may have been close to selling out.

As with anything, it's all about the $$$$$. Just like Monday Night Football not being broadcast with no sell out, etc.....And like one comment said, Bunch of guys, small price, bring your beer, one screen.......And no, I don't agree with it....especially since it's a low rank boxing match (and I'm not a boxing fan, could care less about it) in Pavliks hometown....they should be able to bend the rules a little. But once again, all about money. I wouldn't be surprised if they did change it by tomorrow.

I didn't expect a sellout but I'm shocked that this will be not even at 50% capacity. People always complain that there is nothing to do here but then don't support events like this. Great time to get together with old friend in town for the Holidays (beer, food, boxing, night on the town). Kind of sad for the area. You can bet we won't be getting any more fights in this area in the future.

This is absolutely ridiculus!!! Kelly and his managers/agents/promoters said they love to fight in Ytown because it helps the local economy especially downtown restaurants/bars and then they do this! I know several bar owners who have paid $1200-$2000 for the fight, not including any commercials, promotions, etc., etc. they've spent time, energy, and money on and they're all just totally screwed now! I don't know how Kelly could even allow this! Plus all these bars had to pay up-front for the PPV so if they don't get their money back asap you can be assured Top Rank will get sued big time! These local biz's look forward to having great nights like this and not only does Top Rank charge ridiculus amounts of money for bars to have the fight on PPV, (33% more this time than the last fight at Chevy Centre, thought the public should know that), but then they go and tell them they can't show it one day before the fight begins after each bar has spent thousands of dollars promoting Kelly Pavlik and the fight! Its not their fault the promoters did an awful job promoting this fight, many people didn't even know it was this weekend! Well this will definitely do a great job of ruining our local economy and businesses, but it will also ruin Kelly's name as well, you can be sure after this, "the ghost" will have more meaning than just a nickname as he could actually become one in Youngstown after the public alienates him! Guess it was always and only about the $$$!

You can call J & J Sports who I guess the above number referred us to at 1-888-258-7115! Let them know how we feel Youngstown! All of friends are calling as well because we were all planning on going out downtown to see the fight between BW's, Barley's, & Downtown 36 who I believe were all televising the fight!

Its because Pavlik is fighting a nobody and ticket prices are way to high. Hey Pavlik not even the people in your own town want to see you fight. Here is a prediction for the future when Pavlik fights someone good he is gong to get knocked out and then he will drink his life away at the 13th round and local bars. Another embarrising figure from Youngstown just like Jim Trafficant. Thank god we have people like Jim Tressel to help our image.

How stupid is Arum? Really? Okay, so I paid $150 for a seat that's not even bullring at YSU. Too late to rethink it now. I'm sure I'll have fun.

But s**t - Viewpoint is right. If they would have had about 75% of the tickets at $25 it would have sold out in a heartbeat (and they would have made more money). The YSU men's basketball team gets more fans (with a losing record). Now they will have to reimburse bar owners who have already paid - and the bar patrons STILL won't go to the damn fight.

Here's a good idea, lets stage a fight a week before Christmas and charge $50 for the cheapest seats in the house and then act shocked when it doesn't sell out. Apparently Pavlik or whoever advises him needs to go back to Promotion 101.

Hey everyone!!!!! Check out the Official After Party for the fight at.....THE CELL NIGHTCLUB....right around the corner from the fight! All 21 and over crowd! Newly Remodeled! Awesome atmosphere! Come in and I will BUY your first drink!!! At least stop in and check out the New Place!!